|
Hello Pike County Residents and Trail Enthusiasts,
Let’s celebrate National Trail Day today, it's an exciting time to speak on the importance of trails in our community and share some news about a significant local project in the works. Quality of life is a cornerstone of any vibrant community, and here in Pike County, we are committed to enhancing it through the development of new and improved trails. The Buffalo Trace Trail We are excited to share information about the Buffalo Trace Trail project, a collaborative effort between Pike County, the City of Petersburg, and the Pike County Economic Development Corporation, with generous support from the Pike County Community Foundation. Together, they are working with VS Engineering to develop plans and a feasibility study for a trail that will connect two beloved parks: Hornady Park in Petersburg and Prides Creek Park in Pike County. Project Highlights - Distance and Connectivity: The Buffalo Trace Trail will add over two miles of new trail, connecting with the existing 5-mile fitness path and enhancing the network at both parks. - Safety and Accessibility: They are focused on identifying the safest and most affordable routes, with a particular emphasis on the Illinois Street area. This high-traffic zone, which includes healthcare facilities, businesses, and the Little League Park, will greatly benefit from the addition of a trail or sidewalk. - Community Impact: Many residents already walk and run along Illinois Street. The trail will be a valuable asset by making these activities safer and more enjoyable, fostering a healthier, more connected community. Why Trails Matter Trails are more than just paths through nature; they are vital infrastructure that enhances our quality of life. They provide safe spaces for exercise, offer recreational opportunities for families, and are an essential factor in attracting young talent to our area. Young adults increasingly prioritize quality-of-life amenities, and projects like the Buffalo Trace Trail make Pike County a more attractive place to live, work, and play. Looking Ahead Trails are complex projects that require time and careful planning. This project is currently in the feasibility and planning stages and we will share more information as it becomes available. Your support and patience are greatly appreciated as they move forward with this exciting endeavor. Stay Informed For those who want to stay informed please contact Ashley Willis at [email protected]. Your input and enthusiasm are invaluable as we work together to bring this vision to life. Happy Trails! Jill Hyneman Executive Director, Pike County Chamber of Commerce
0 Comments
Celebrating Leadership and Community Impact: Pike County Leadership Program Graduation on April 23rd5/16/2024  Recently at the Azalea Path, the Pike County Leadership Program celebrated the graduation of its latest cohort. This event marked not only the culmination of months of hard work and dedication but also the beginning of a new chapter for these emerging leaders. With guest speakers Mayor Klipsch and State Representative Shane Lindauer in attendance, the ceremony was a testament to the profound impact of the Leadership Program on both individuals and the community. This year’s graduating class: Jerry Blackwell from Pike County Courthouse Staff, Paulina Cazares from MiPatio, Rachel Cox from Kimball International, Reid Craig from Parsifal, Sara Davis from Parsifal, Logan Meneely from r3 Renewables, Kalee Riddle from Parsifal, Cheyanne Sallee from GE Tree Service, Clayton Sallee from GE Tree Service, Rhiannon Warnell from Moose Lodge, and Amanda Woods from Tri-Cap. The Pike County Leadership Program is not just about attending sessions; it's about actively engaging with the community, making connections and making a tangible difference. Over the course of ten full-day sessions, participants participated in various aspects of leadership, from communication, teamwork, managing conflict, and project management. This year, the graduating class undertook on a community project of beautifying the Nature Trail at Hornady Park and enhancing the walking trail at Winslow Park. At the Graduation, Cox and Davis presented the projects which included clearing the trail, signage and the creation of a butterfly garden at Hornady Park. Winslow Park is receiving some TLC and the installation of a small walking bridge. The success of the Pike County Leadership Program would not be possible without the efforts of its organizers and supporters. It takes many sponsors to put this program together and we are grateful for every one of them. Spearheaded by the Pike County Purdue Extension and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, the program is led by Brooke Goble, Executive Director of Pike County Purdue Extension, and organized by Jill Hyneman, Executive Director of Pike County Chamber of Commerce. The planning of the program is overseen by the Leadership Planning Committee, comprising Cindy Barber, Jon Craig, Brooke Goble, Jill Hyneman, Krista Robinette, Robin Smith, and Ashley Willis. With each new class, the program grows a network of leaders, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion to drive positive change in Pike County and beyond. It's exciting to hear that the next Leadership class will begin in October 2025. Keep an eye out for more details in the spring of 2025.    The business landscape is noisy and crowded for most of us. But keeping your customers happy and engaged is crucial to your success and their return. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a powerful toolkit to elevate your customer experience in ways you might not have thought of. And it’s not about replacing your employees with robots.
As a small business owner, you can leverage AI to make your customers feel valued and keep them coming back for more. Help Your Employees Focus Where They’re Needed MostSome things you can automate, some you can’t. Some questions are easily answered (over, and over, and over throughout the day) and some require more thought. What if you could hand off all the simple questions to “someone” who will never become impatient no matter how many times it’s asked the same thing? What if you could trust the answer will always be given in a professional way from the first time to the thirty-first? Imagine your website anticipating your customers' needs before they even ask. AI-powered chatbots can greet visitors, answer basic questions, and even guide them toward relevant products or services. This not only saves you time answering repetitive inquiries but also provides immediate assistance, enhancing the customer journey from the very first click. And this assistant never sleeps. Trust your human employees with the “peopling” and relationship-building tasks and leave the virtual, repetitive work to AI. After all, how many times can you tell someone your address and hours without feeling a little robotic anyway? Help Customers Get What They Want QuicklyAI can also personalize the online shopping experience. By analyzing past purchases and browsing behavior, recommendation engines can suggest products that complement what a customer has already shown interest in. Recommendations greatly increase the likelihood of a sale. It also creates a sense of feeling understood, like the website is offering exactly what you need. Eliminate Frustrating WaitsBeyond sales, AI can revolutionize your customer support. One of the most common phrases you hear when calling any company these days is, “We are experiencing very high call volumes.” That’s usually followed by an annoying number of minutes that you will have to wait to get a human on the line. It’s not that more people are calling. It’s that more companies don’t have the staff to support the call volume. Some have turned to “wait in line” call backs but there’s another solution. AI-powered chatbots can handle simple inquiries, freeing up your staff for more complex issues. Chatbots can also be trained to answer frequently asked questions 24/7, ensuring your customers receive prompt assistance even outside of business hours. Gain Important Customer InsightThe power of AI extends beyond your website. By analyzing customer reviews and social media sentiment, you can gain valuable insights into what customers think of your brand. Using this data, you can identify areas for improvement and proactively address any customer concerns. AI can monitor social media and alert you if a customer expressed frustration, allowing you to reach out and resolve the issue before it escalates. Give Customers What They Want Without Hours and Hours of WorkFinally, another way AI can improve the customer experience is through repurposing content. Some of your audience enjoys podcasts, others blogs, or short video clips. It’s time consuming to do it all but you should to meet your customers’ preferences. In the past, repurposing took a lot of work. Today, there are AI products that can turn blogs into videos, videos into transcripts, and webinars into bite-sized TikToks and Reels with a couple of clicks. That way, you can give your customers access to the medium of their preference without spending hours repurposing it. Finally, AI is not a magic bullet. And it takes some time to “teach” it. But it is a powerful tool that can help you personalize customer interactions, streamline processes, and ultimately, create a more positive and memorable customer experience. Plus, it’s never going to ask you to buy a box of cookies from its kid or quiet quit on you.  Discover Downtown Petersburg recently received a $1,000 grant from the Pike County
Community Foundation through the Pike Gives Grant Program. The Pike Gives Grant Program allows Pike County Community Foundation advisory board members to recommend $1,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by Bridget Butcher to assist with the cost of the Buffalo Trace Festival. For more information about funding opportunities through the Pike County Community Foundation, contact Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at 812-890-4469 or via email [email protected]. Pictured:(left to right) Mayor RC Klipsch; and Bridget Butcher, Pike County Community Foundation Advisory Board member.  PIKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $85,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO 22 AREA STUDENTS
The Pike County Community Foundation announces the distribution of community scholarships totaling $85,400 including renewable scholarships. This year, funds established by generous donors provided scholarships to 22 area students. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient and Community Scholarship recipients were recognized at the Pike County Community Foundation Spring Gala on Saturday, April 24, 2024. In addition to announcing the recipients, the Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact, Laura Hazelman states, “The Pike County Community Foundation is fortunate to have generous fund founders and donors who have made these scholarships possible. They are truly making an impact on young adults in Pike County. The students at Pike Central High School are blessed to have such a wonderful group of people who are invested in their education and future success. We are thankful to the scholarship committee for their dedication and hard work in selecting our scholarship recipients.” Carroll-Wyatt Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship established by the Carroll-Wyatt Scholarship Fund trust created through the Last Will and Testament of Hilda D. Carroll to provide scholarships to Pike Central High School graduates pursuing a college degree. This year’s recipient, Lexie Onyett, was awarded $1,500. Claud W. and Lois Kemp Family Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship fund established by Jerry D. Kemp to remember his grandparents, Claud W. and Lois (Corn) Kemp. Mr. And Mrs. Kemp were lifelong residents of Pike County. Claud Kemp was a long-time teacher and principal at Velpen School in Velpen, IN. This scholarship is dedicated to Mr. Kemp and his enthusiasm for education. This year’s award of $1,000 goes to Chase Ridao. Darwin and Grace Youngs Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Darwin Youngs for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. This year’s recipient, Cobey McKinney, was awarded $1,000. Dessie Mae (Bruce) Griffith Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Allison Bell, Jodie Dawn Huntsman, and Christina Scales in memory of their mother to benefit graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. Dessie Mae was born the youngest of ten children in September 1945 and she passed away after losing her battle with lung cancer in March 2001. This year’s recipient, Jamie Sallee, was awarded $500. MEDIA RELEASE Dr. and Mrs. William A. Weather and Betty B. Wyatt Memorial Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Pike Central High School in memory of its former teacher, counselor, and principal, Dr. William A. Weathers, his wife, and their friend Mrs. Betty B. Wyatt. Dr. Weathers spent his entire 42-year career in education in Petersburg and was active in civic and community affairs. Betty Wyatt was a teacher for more than 40 years. This year’s award is $1,000 and the recipient is Jaidyn Gogel. Gaskins Family Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Jim and Cindy Gaskins for Pike Central High School students. This year’s $2,500 award recipient is Gabriella Collins. Harrell and LaVern Shoultz Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Harrell and LaVern Shoultz for graduating seniors at Pike Central High School. This year’s recipient, Ella Adams, was awarded $1,000. Joe and Libbie Dedman Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Joe and Libbie Dedman to provide scholarship assistance to Pike Central High School students seeking post-secondary education. Preference for this scholarship will be given to cancer survivors or students with learning challenges. This year $1,000 was awarded to Hannah Fort. Kenny Veale Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Carolyn Veale for graduating Pike Central High School students who are pursuing a career in the automotive field. This year’s recipient, Brailey Mills, was awarded $1,500. Lawrell Hilgeman Memorial Scholarship/Pike Optimists of Petersburg, Indiana is an annual scholarship created by the Pike Optimists in memory of their esteemed member, Lawrell Hilgeman. This year’s recipient, Arrik McDonald, was awarded $700. Mary R. Curtis Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship established by the estate of Sammy K. Curtis, in memory of his aunt, Miss Mary F. Curtis, a beloved 2nd-grade teacher at Winslow Elementary School. This year’s recipient, Taylor Gosciniak, was awarded $3,500. Montes/Fenol Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Honesto Fenol and his wife, Rosabella Montes Fenol, to help students who might not otherwise qualify for academic scholarships and to encourage them to pursue their education and career goals. This year’s award is $1,500, and the recipient is Brylee Walker. Otwell School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by the Otwell School Alumni Association for students who have a familial or relational connection to the Otwell community. This year’s recipient, Addy Russell, received $1,500. Petersburg First United Methodist Church Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Petersburg First United Methodist Church through a generous donation made in memory of Dessie McDade Burton. The recipient must be a member of the First United Methodist Church. This year’s recipient, Gabriella Collins, was awarded $1,500. Petersburg High School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship established by the Petersburg High School Alumni Association to create a legacy for Petersburg High School by providing scholarships in the name of the school to Pike Central High School students now and in the future. This year’s award is $1,000, and the recipient is Ashlynn Kirk. Petersburg High School Class of 1959 Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Petersburg High School Class of 1959. This year’s $1,500 award recipient is Macey Stilwell. Pike Central High School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by the Pike Central High School Alumni Association. This year’s recipient, Dylan Charles, received $1,000. Pike County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are planning to attend an Indiana college or university. This year’s recipient, Austin Henson, received $500. Roger Knight Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship established by Doris Knight to honor and remember Roger Knight, a retired Pike Central High School teacher of agriculture and horticulture. The scholarship has been created to assist students pursuing post-secondary education, with a preference towards students pursuing an agricultural-related field of study – from mechanics to selling farm futures – and members of FFA or 4-H. This year’s recipient, Danessa Pride, received $1,000. Schafer Pike County Community Foundation Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Karl and Elizabeth Schafer for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who are residents of Pike County. This year’s recipient, Jamie Sallee, was awarded $3,000. Si and Mary Ashley Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Si and Mary Ashley to provide financial assistance to Pike Central High School graduates. This year’s recipient Maxwell Burkhart will receive $1,000. Vinson Family Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by John and Mary Ellen Vinson for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. This year’s $1,800 award recipient is Pillar Rudolph. Winslow Eagles Memorial Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by Winslow Eagles Aerie #2646 for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School who have a connection to Winslow Eagles Aerie #2646. This year’s recipient, Jonas Martinez, was awarded $1,200. Winslow High School Alumni Association Scholarship is an annual, renewable scholarship created by the Winslow High School Alumni Association for graduating seniors of Pike Central High School. This year’s award is $2,000, and the recipient is Karley Kavanaugh. Ruby Salee of Pike Central High School is the 2024 Pike County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient. She will receive a full tuition scholarship to the Indiana college of her choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. The Community Foundation handles the applications, and a volunteer selection committee of community leaders completes the review process for this award, submitting final nominations to Independent Colleges of Indiana. If you want to remain top-of-mind with your customers (as well as nurture people who are interested in your business, but not yet buying from you), you need to be able to stay in touch. While social media may seem like a good first step, you’re limited in how often your audience sees your posts. And you’re not in control of the algorithms that impact that so... You need to start building your email list. With a list, you can stay in touch and remain top-of-mind by sending newsletters, discount coupons, event information, and specials. You’re more likely to be able to bring customers in the door with a strong list it also gives them something to talk about and circulate among their friends. Plus,92% of online adults use email regularly (not sure what the other 8% are doing when they’re online but whatever). And you don’t have to worry about the "social media powers that be "keeping your messaging from those you want to see it. There are many ways to build a list. To capture online emails, you simply offer something of value (video, course, checklist, or other exclusive content)in exchange for an email. You’ll also want to be clear that they will occasionally hear from you. Make sure you give the option to opt out as well. But how do you build your email list outside of Lead Magnet?
25 Ways to Build an Awesome Email List 1. Host webinars or courses. 2. Run contests or giveaways. Incentivize sign-ups by offering prizes relevant to your target audience. 3. Include sign-up forms on your website Make it easy for visitors to subscribe on high-traffic spots like your homepage, blog posts, and landing pages. 4. Promote your email list on social media. Encourage followers to sign up for exclusive content or updates. Let them know what they’ll receive. Discounts are a top motivator for sign-ups. 5. Run targeted ads. Use social media advertising platforms to reach a specific audience and promote your email list sign-up. 6. Add a sign-up form to your email signature. 7. Offer referral bonuses. Encourage existing subscribers to spread the word by offering rewards for referrals. 8. Run exit-intent popups. These popups appear when a visitor looks like they’re about to leave your website. Offer a last-minute incentive to subscribe. 9. Partner with other businesses. Cross-promote your email lists with businesses that complement your offerings. 10. Host Q&A sessions or live chats. Offer valuable interaction and require email sign-up to participate. 11. Run interactive polls or surveys. Gather valuable data while building your email list. If results would appeal to your audience, offer to send them the conclusions for their email. 12. Offer free trials or consultations. Capture leads interested in your paid services. 13. Repurpose content into email newsletters. Provide ongoing value to keep subscribers engaged. 14. Offer a challenge. These can be live videos or pre-recorded content, or emails sent daily. The length of challenges can vary so get creative. 15. Run interactive content like quizzes or games. 16. Offer loyalty programs or rewards. Give subscribers points or discounts for signing up and taking specific actions (e.g., opening emails, referring friends). 17. Utilize offline methods. Collect email addresses at events, trade shows, or through in-person interactions. 18. Use a QR code. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, place a QR code next to your register that directs to a VIP customer list they can join. Give a discount on their next purchase for signing up. 19. Retarget website visitors. Use website retargeting ads to remind visitors who haven't subscribed yet about your valuable content and email list. 20. Create a CTA. Add a call-to-action to join your email list wherever you’re giving value such as blog posts, newsletters, videos, etc. 21. Leaving comments. While I’m not a big fan of this one, if you have an engaged and vocal audience, you can require an email address to leave comments on your blog. 22. Write for a third-party. Reach a bigger audience by writing for LinkedIn or Medium. Make sure you add a call-to-action to join your email list. 23. Tease content. Just as trailers for movies whet a moviegoer’s appetite to see the upcoming film, post small bits of content with "read more "links to see the entire article for the price of an email. Many newspapers have adopted this strategy. 24. Create a game. The New York Times has cashed in big on this approach. Want to know how you did against the Wordle Bot? You’re going to pay for that with your email (and a few dollars). 25. Guest blog. Write for someone else and add a CTA to join your newsletter to stay in touch. Hiring is one of the costliest things you do as a business as it can leave you exposed and vulnerable. While a good hire can be a turning point in your business, a bad hire can leave you (and your employees) reeling. That’s why the interview and selection process are important. However, it’s what you do after that that will shape the employee and your team the most. No matter the size of your business, if you are bringing someone new on, you must consider the onboarding process. What Is Onboarding and Why Does It Matter? Onboarding is the first exposure your new employee has to you and your business. A bad—or nonexistent—onboarding process will override an enjoyable recruitment. Recruiting is the courtship. Employment is the marriage. If you did something in recruitment/hiring that isn’t reflected in the first few days on the job, the new employee will feel a disconnect and may begin pulling away. Onboarding sets the tone for your fledgling relationship. It shapes how they’ll feel about leadership and their peers. And it can increase employee productivity by 72% and employee retention by 80%. So, it’s worth the effort. Onboarding goes beyond gifting and training. And should be a consideration for every size business. If you are hiring, you’re never too small to consider onboarding.
Components of a Successful Onboarding Program The onboarding process should consist of a
Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking  SOUTHERN INDIANA (April 11, 2024) - The Indiana READI 2.0 award announcements have been received
and the Indiana First Region has been awarded $15 million. Prioritizing quality of life, place, and opportunity, the five-county region is prepared to generate extensive investment for Hoosiers in respect to housing, business development, innovation, and talent attraction. The Indiana First Region, which includes Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties have been steadfast at advancing their key priorities of Talent Attraction, Business Development, Development Viability, Housing, and Quality of Life and Place, through READI 1.0 funds, private capital investments, and regional collaboration. The first round of READI 1.0 funds began the catalyst movement of housing and infrastructure demands needed to support current and future Hoosier residents by the development and ongoing construction of nine (9) housing projects, 291 Single Family Homes, and 187 Multi-Family Housing Units. Building off this momentum of housing, the Indiana First Region has substantially increased growth in education and workforce development through job creation, investment in entrepreneurship and innovation, and creating pathways in more advanced degrees. Projects across the region include the Lanesville Business Park, Nursing + Health Careers Expansion / SIM Labs, Ivy Tech Workforce Training Project, Southwest Indiana Megasite, and the Pike County Economic Development Shell Building Indiana First prides itself on its creativity, innovation, and tenacity towards growth and collaboration in Southern Indiana. The region is dedicated to ensuring the regional economic development strategy is put into action and makes the necessary impact to continue diversifying the economy, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and attracting new businesses. For more information on the Indiana First Region and to stay up to date on the success of 1.0 projects, please visit: https://swidc.org/regional-strategy/indiana-first/ |
RSS Feed